District of Columbia Franchise Laws

EXISTENCE OF DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA DEALER/FRANCHISE TERMINATION, FRAUD AND NON-RENEWAL LAWS AND FRANCHISE INDUSTRY-SPECIFIC LAWS

In the District of Columbia, the following Dealer/Franchise Termination and Non-Renewal Laws, Fraud, and Franchise Industry-Specific Laws exist:

– District of Columbia Does Not Have a Disclosure/Registration Franchise Law – District of Columbia Has a Hybrid Relationship/Termination Franchise Law – District of Columbia Has a Hybrid General Business Opportunity Franchise Law – District of Columbia Does Not Have an Alcoholic Beverage Wholesaler/Franchise Law – District of Columbia Does Not Have an Equipment Dealer/Franchise Law – District of Columbia Has a Gasoline Dealer/Franchise Law – District of Columbia Does Not Have a Marine Dealer/Franchise Law – District of Columbia Does Not Have a Motor Vehicle Dealer/Franchise Law – District of Columbia Does Not Have a Motorcycle Dealer/Franchise Law – District of Columbia Does Not Have a Recreational and Power Sports Vehicle Dealer/Franchise Law – District of Columbia Does Not Have a Restaurant Liability Law

The District of Columbia does not have a dedicated franchise relationship act; instead, it does regulate limited aspects of the franchise relationship indirectly through its Little FTC Act (“DCFTCA”), called the The District of Columbia Consumer Protection Procedures Law. (District of Columbia Code, 2001, Title 28, Chapter 39, Sections 28-3901 through 28-3908.)This statute expressly covers franchises and business opportunities.

Specifically, the DCFTCA specifically includes in the definition of "goods and services" the following: "franchises, business opportunities, and consumer services of all types." In turn, the DCFTCA prohibits explicitly, among other acts, passing off goods or services; misrepresenting the source, sponsorship, or affiliation of another; falsely claiming the quality, grade, or style of goods or services; and making or enforcing unconscionable terms of sales or leases.

And, further, the DCFTCA provides a private remedy when it states that a "consumer" suffering damages as a result of a violation may bring an action for actual damages, treble damages, reasonable attorneys' fees, punitive damages, and any other relief deemed proper.

In the District of Columbia, the following Dealer/Franchise Termination, Fraud and Non-Renewal Laws, and Franchise Industry-Specific Laws, are identified as follows:

District of Columbia Franchise Disclosure/Registration No statute of general applicability. Franchisors must comply with the FTC franchise disclosure rule

District of Columbia Franchise Relationship/Termination Laws The District of Columbia Consumer Protection Procedures Law includes franchises in its definition of "goods and services." District of Columbia Code, Title 28, Chapter 39, Sections 28-3901 through 28-3908

District of Columbia Business Opportunity Laws The District of Columbia Consumer Protection Procedures Law includes business opportunities in its definition of "goods and services." District of Columbia Code, Title 28, Chapter 39, Sections 28-3901 through 28-3908

District of Columbia Alcoholic Beverage Franchise/Wholesaler Laws The District of Columbia Has No Franchise Law in this Industry Niche

District of Columbia Equipment Franchise/Dealer Laws The District of Columbia Has No Franchise Law in this Industry Niche

District of Columbia Gasoline Franchise/Dealer Laws District of Columbia gasoline Franchise/Dealer law D.C. Code, Title 36, Chap. 3

District of Columbia Marine Franchise/Dealer Laws The District of Columbia Has No Franchise Law in this Industry Niche

District of Columbia Motor Vehicle Franchise/Dealer Laws The District of Columbia Has No Franchise Law in this Industry Niche

District of Columbia Motorcycle Franchise/Dealer Laws The District of Columbia Has No Franchise Law in this Industry Niche

District of Columbia Recreational and Powersports Vehicle Franchise/Dealer Laws The District of Columbia Has No Franchise Law in this Industry Niche

District of Columbia Restaurants The District of Columbia Has No Franchise Law in this Industry Niche

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